Photography is the single highest-leverage improvement most resellers can make. A listing with excellent photos priced correctly will sell faster, at a higher price, and with fewer questions. The return on time invested in improving your photography is almost always positive.
Great reselling photos don't require professional equipment. A modern smartphone camera is genuinely sufficient. What separates good photos from bad ones is mostly light, background, and shot selection.
Light is everything
Bad lighting is the most common issue with reselling photos. Items photographed in dim indoor light look dark, colours render inaccurately, and details are hard to see. The simplest fix is natural light — shooting near a window on an overcast day gives you diffused, even light that renders colours accurately and shows texture clearly.
Direct sunlight creates harsh shadows. Overcast light from a window is almost always better. If you're shooting in the evening or in a room without good window access, a simple lightbox (£20–30) replicates the effect of good natural light.
Background matters
A cluttered background competes with the item and makes listings look unprofessional. A clean, neutral background keeps the focus on what you're selling. On Depop specifically, styled or contextual backgrounds can increase engagement. On eBay, clean and clinical outperforms aesthetic.
What shots to take
For clothing: front, back, both side seams, close-up of the label, close-up of any notable details, and a condition shot clearly showing any flaws. Show flaws early in the sequence. Buyers who see flaws disclosed in photos trust the listing more and are more likely to complete the purchase.
Editing on your phone
Basic editing — adjusting brightness, contrast, and white balance to accurately represent the item — is worth doing. The goal isn't to make the item look better than it is; it's to make the photo accurately represent the item. Avoid filters that change colour significantly.
Stop guessing. Check Selby before you list.
See real sold prices across eBay, Depop and Vinted in about 10 seconds. Free to use.